Anybody recomend a good free firewall.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 781
Likes: 2
From: UK.
Anybody recomend a good free firewall.
Hi all I used to used Sygate....for some reason that I know not...its been un-installed from my PC,
Can anybody recommend a decent free firewall please.
Nick.
Can anybody recommend a decent free firewall please.
Nick.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
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From: Earth
If you are behind a router with network address translation enabled,
UPnP and reverse proxies are just two ways to bypass NAT.
I seem to recall a PPRuNe user by the name of XV105 discovered the hard way what UPnP was capable of.... and it all happened automatically because he just plugged in a new NAS storage box he bought.
However I do agree that top priorities are (a) running up to date software and (b) running up to date anti-virus.
The problem with many free firewalls are that they're nothing more than packet filters with a GUI bolted on. You want something more intelligent with decent rulesets.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 781
Likes: 2
From: UK.
Just wondering, I currently have the built in Win XP firewall running,
I wonder how effective is that compared to the likes of Zone Alarm etc.
We are using a wire connected virgin modem the PC is running Win XP,
I'm not too technical with PC's and have heard of Zone Alarm so I think I will give that a go,
Many thanks chaps.
Nick.
I wonder how effective is that compared to the likes of Zone Alarm etc.
We are using a wire connected virgin modem the PC is running Win XP,
I'm not too technical with PC's and have heard of Zone Alarm so I think I will give that a go,
Many thanks chaps.
Nick.
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 1
From: land of the clanger
The main difference is that you can easily prevent programs accessing the internet with Zone Alarm, I consider it the very last line of defence. Don't forget to tick the 'remember this setting' box while you do the training.
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Germany
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,825
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From: is everything
Oh good grief, a bit of knicker elastic could pass the Gibson tests. Everything passes the Gibson tests. It's just testing an extremely limited set of ports, which is not the way most of the world works. If you fail a naff Gibson test, there are a bunch of other things you should have checked a long time ago.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Nr Salisbury UK
This article/list/review gives you all that most people will need to know.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 781
Likes: 2
From: UK.
Downloaded and installed Zone alarm....got stuck at the first hurdle unfortunately...it asks do I want to set to trusted or public.....with no explanation as to what would suit my needs,
Anybody help on that one....
Anybody help on that one....
More bang for your buck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 1
From: land of the clanger
Trusted is a home type network that you have control over and is encrypted for wireless access, public is just that, a network with access to by anyone with no encryption.
Joined: May 2011
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From: Malkin Tower
"Downloaded and installed Zone alarm....got stuck at the first hurdle"
hence my belief that for most people, the Windows Firewall is sufficient: adding anything else just adds complexity and is likely to end up with reduced security as people don't understand what they are being asked - and so answer incorrectly
hence my belief that for most people, the Windows Firewall is sufficient: adding anything else just adds complexity and is likely to end up with reduced security as people don't understand what they are being asked - and so answer incorrectly
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 847
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From: Malkin Tower
point taken, but the fact remains that the vast majority of home computer users aren't capable of understanding the nuances of configuring a software firewall
lets face it - most have problems formatting a document.
Most home users need protecting from themselves, and the fewer variables you give them to fiddle with, the better
lets face it - most have problems formatting a document.
Most home users need protecting from themselves, and the fewer variables you give them to fiddle with, the better
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 781
Likes: 2
From: UK.
Odd...had Zone Alarm installed for around a week now and not one single message or warning from it...when I was using Sygate we often got a warning along the lines of something want to connect with your computer....do you want to allow it,
Makes me think that ZA is not doing anything....or am I looking at it the wrong way.
Makes me think that ZA is not doing anything....or am I looking at it the wrong way.